Apparatus for holding keys in a ladies purse

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding keys in a ladies purse includes a first leg portion disposed in a substantially vertical direction when such purse is being carried. A first arcuate portion is one of formed integrally with and connected to an upper end of the first leg portion. A second leg portion is one of formed integrally with and connected to a second end of the first arcuate portion which provides a friction fit in combination the first leg portion over a side wall such purse. A second arcuate portion is one of formed integrally with and connected to a second end of the second leg portion. A third leg portion is one of formed integrally with and connected to a second end of said second arcuate portion which provides a friction fit in combination the second leg portion for retaining a set of keys there between.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/698,066 filed Jul. 12, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to keys and purses and, moreparticularly, the instant invention relates to an apparatus capable ofholding keys in a convenient location in a ladies purse and, still morespecifically, this invention relates to a method of preventing a set ofkeys from falling to the bottom of a ladies purse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as iswell known in the prior art, most ladies carry a purse for holding anumber of different articles therein which they feel that they will needat some time. One particular item most frequently carried by most womenin their purse is the keys to their car and home. Normally, these keysfind their way to the bottom of the purse and are, therefore, oftentimes difficult to locate.

In some situations, this can not only be quite frustrating but it canalso be dangerous, for example, if the car is parked in a rather dimlylit public parking lot late at night and there is no one around except apotential rapist, mugger and/or robber.

Another disadvantage to these keys being loose in a purse is that theyusually have rather sharp points which can damage some other items beingcarried in such purse. For example, they may scratch and/or cut certaineye glasses being carried therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, an apparatus forholding a set of keys in a ladies purse to prevent them from falling tothe bottom thereof. Such apparatus can be formed from a variety ofmaterials and includes a first leg portion disposed downwardly in asubstantially vertical direction when such purse is being carried. Thisfirst leg portion exhibits a first predetermined shape and has a firstpredetermined length. A first arcuate portion has a first end thereofone of formed integrally with and connected to an upper end of the firstleg portion. Such first arcuate portion is disposed substantially in ahorizontal direction when such purse is being carried. There is a secondleg portion which has a first end thereof one of formed integrally withand connected to a second end of the first arcuate portion and which isalso disposed in a substantially vertical direction when such purse isbeing carried. An inner surface of the second leg portion provides afriction fit in combination with an inner surface of such first legportion over a side wall portion of such purse. The second leg portionhas each of a second predetermined shape and a second predeterminedlength. A second arcuate portion has a first end thereof one of formedintegrally with and connected to a second end of such second legportion. The second arcuate portion is disposed substantially in ahorizontal direction when such purse is being carried. The finalessential element of the apparatus is a third leg portion which has afirst end thereof one of formed integrally with and connected to asecond end of such second arcuate portion and which is also disposed ina substantially vertical direction when such purse is being carried. Aninner surface of the third leg portion provides a friction fit incombination with an outer surface of such second leg portion forretaining a set of keys there between. The third leg portion also haseach of a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined length.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of preventing a set of keys from reaching a bottom of a ladiespurse. The method includes the steps of first providing an apparatushaving a pair of side by side slot like portions. Then attaching a firstone of such pair of side by side slot like portions to a side wallportion of such purse. Then attaching a set of keys in a second one ofsuch pair of slot like portions disposed within an interior portion ofsuch purse.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide an apparatus for holding a set of keys in a ladies purse whichwill make it easier to find the keys when needed.

Another significant object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for holding a set of keys in a ladies purse which will shortenthe time required to locate the keys to unlock the car and therebysubstantially minimize the potential danger from any undesirable personswho may be lurking around the parking lot.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor holding a set of keys in a ladies purse which is easy to use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor holding a set of keys in a ladies purse which in its crudest form isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forholding a set of keys in a ladies purse which can be manufactured from avariety of different materials and in a number of differentpredetermined shapes, colors and sizes.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor holding a set of keys in a ladies purse which is relatively lightweight.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method ofpreventing a set of keys from reaching a bottom of a ladies purse.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the presentinvention which have been described in considerable detail above, itshould be noted that various additional objects and advantages of theinvention will become more readily apparent to those persons who areskilled in the relevant art from the following more detaileddescription, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunctionwith the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a key holding device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the key holding device illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a key holding device showing a cut-out designhaving embossed circles surrounding such cut-outs;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a key holding device showing only a cut-outdesign;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a key holding device showing a diamond designhaving hearts disposed therein;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a key holding device showing a cut-out designhaving hearts and flowers disposed therein;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a key holding device showing a scroll disposedon a recessed area of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a key holding device showing a cut-out designincluding a scroll;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a key holding device showing a cut-out designhaving including a scroll with a jewel stone attached thereto;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a key holding device showing a cut-out designhaving including a scroll with a flower attached thereto;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a key holding device showing a cut-out designincluding a scroll with a diamond attached thereto;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a key holding device showing a cut-out designincluding a scroll with a heart attached thereto;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a key holding device showing an alternativeembodiment of a scroll design;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a key holding device showing an alternativeembodiment of a cut-out design;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a key holding device showing an alternativeembodiment of a diamond design;

FIG. 16 is a front view of a key holding device showing a single holedesign;

FIG. 17 is a front view of a key holding device showing a multiple holedesign;

FIG. 18 is a front view of a key holding device showing a texturedcrocodile design;

FIG. 19 is a front view of a key holding device showing a texturedostrich design; and

FIG. 20 is a front view of a key holding device showing a texturedlinen/burlap design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND A NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the invention,it should be noted, that for the sake of clarity and understanding,identical components which have identical functions have been identifiedwith identical reference numerals throughout the several views whichhave been illustrated in the drawing Figures.

Now refer more particularly to FIGS. 1-2. Illustrated therein is anapparatus, generally designated 10, for holding a set of keys (notshown) in a readily accessible place in a ladies purse (not shown). Suchapparatus 10 includes a first leg portion 12 disposed downwardly in asubstantially vertical direction when such ladies purse is beingcarried. This first leg portion 12 includes each of a firstpredetermined shape and a first predetermined length.

As best seen in FIG. 2, apparatus 10 further includes a first arcuateportion 14 having a first end thereof one of formed integrally with andconnected to an upper end of such first leg portion 12. The firstarcuate portion 14 is disposed substantially in a horizontal directionwhen such ladies purse is being carried.

There is a second leg portion 16 having a first end thereof one offormed integrally with and connected to a second end of such firstarcuate portion 14 and disposed in a substantially vertical directionwhen such ladies purse is being carried. An inner surface 18 of suchsecond leg portion 16 provides a friction fit in combination with aninner surface 20 of such first leg portion 12 over a side wall portion(not shown) of the ladies purse. Such second leg portion 16 includeseach of a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined length.

Further, there is a second arcuate portion 22 having a first end thereofone of formed integrally with and connected to a second end of suchsecond leg portion 16. This second arcuate portion 22 is disposedsubstantially in a horizontal direction when such ladies purse is beingused.

The final essential element of the apparatus 10 of the present inventionis a third leg portion 24 having a first end thereof one of formedintegrally with and connected to a second end of such second arcuateportion 22 and is disposed in a substantially vertical direction whensuch ladies purse is being one of carried and worn. An inner surface 26of such third leg portion 24 provides a friction fit in combination withan outer surface 28 of such second leg portion 16 for retaining the setof keys there between. Such third leg portion 24 includes each of athird predetermined shape and a third predetermined length.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, as is also bestshown in FIG. 2, the first predetermined length of such first legportion 12 is longer than such second predetermined length of the secondleg portion 16 and such third predetermined length of the third legportion 24 is shorter than the second predetermined length of suchsecond leg portion 16.

Likewise, it is presently preferred that the apparatus 10 for holding aset of keys will be formed as an integral single piece unit. Further,such apparatus 10 can be manufactured from a material selected from agroup consisting of plastic and metal. Preferably, the apparatus 10 willbe manufactured from a metal selected from aluminum, steel, brass andcopper. The preferred metal is steel and the most preferred metal is aspring steel.

Now reference is made, more particularly, to FIGS. 3-16. Illustratedtherein is a number of alternative embodiments of the apparatus 10 asmanufactured according to the present invention. For example, the firstpredetermined shape of such first leg portion 12 will include at leastone of an embossed area 32 disposed on an exposed surface 30 thereof, atleast one depression (not shown) disposed in such exposed surface 30thereof, an enlarged area 34 disposed adjacent a lower end thereof andat least one cut-out 36.

Preferably, according to the present invention, such at least onecut-out 36 will be selected from a group consisting of at least one of agenerally round aperture 38, a diamond 40, and a scroll 42.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 16 such first leg portionfurther 12 includes a pin 40 disposed in such at least one generallyround aperture 38.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 17 wherein such firstleg portion 12 includes a plurality of such generally round apertures 38spaced in a predetermined pattern. Lacing (not shown) can be positionedin such apertures 38 for providing enhanced attractiveness to suchapparatus 10.

As has been illustrated in a number of the Figures, the predeterminedshape of such first leg portion 12 can include a scroll 42 at least oneof formed on and in an exposed surface 30 of the first leg portion 12and as a cut-out (see FIG. 8) depending from such first leg portion 12.

Preferably such scroll 42 includes at least one of a jewel stone 44, aflower 46, a diamond 48 and a heart 50 attached thereto.

In FIG. 15 there is illustrated such predetermined shape of such firstleg portion 12 having a plurality of diamonds 40 one of formed on and insuch exposed surface 30 thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates apparatus 10 including a plurality of cut-outs 36 insuch first leg portion 12 and a plurality of embossed circles 32surrounding such plurality of cut-outs 36.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 18-20. As shown therein suchapparatus 10 can further include a preselected texture disposed on anexposed surface 30 of such first leg portion 12. Such preselectedtexture disposed on such exposed surface 30 of the first leg portion 12is selected from a group consisting of crocodile 52, ostrich 54, linenand burlap 56 which can also be illustrated on a cover for such firstleg portion 12. Such cover can also include other preselecteddecorations disposed thereon.

Finally, the present invention provides a method of preventing a set ofkeys from reaching a bottom of a ladies purse comprising the steps offirst providing an apparatus having a pair of side by side slot likeportions. Attaching a first one of such pair of side by side slot likeportions to a side wall portion of the ladies purse and thereafterattaching a set of keys in a second one of such pair of slot likeportions disposed within an interior portion of such purse.

While in accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferredand a number of alternative embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in sufficient detail above to enable any person skilled in therelevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that variousother modifications and adaptations of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. An apparatus for holding a set of keys in a readily accessible placein a ladies purse, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first leg portiondisposed downwardly in a substantially vertical direction when suchpurse is being carried, said first leg portion having each of a firstpredetermined shape and a first predetermined length; (b) a firstarcuate portion having a first end thereof one of formed integrally withand connected to an upper end of said first leg portion, said firstarcuate portion disposed substantially in a horizontal direction whensuch purse is being carried; (c) a second leg portion having a first endthereof one of formed integrally with and connected to a second end ofsaid first arcuate portion and disposed in a substantially verticaldirection when such purse is being carried, an inner surface of saidsecond leg portion providing a friction fit in combination with an innersurface of said first leg portion over a side wall portion of suchpurse, said second leg portion having each of a second predeterminedshape and a second predetermined length; (d) a second arcuate portionhaving a first end thereof one of formed integrally with and connectedto a second end of said second leg portion, said second arcuate portiondisposed substantially in a horizontal direction when such purse isbeing carried; and (e) a third leg portion having a first end thereofone of formed integrally with and connected to a second end of saidsecond arcuate portion and disposed in a substantially verticaldirection when such purse is being carried, an inner surface of saidthird leg portion providing a friction fit in combination with an outersurface of said second leg portion for retaining a set of keys therebetween, said third leg portion having each of a third predeterminedshape and a third predetermined length.
 2. An apparatus for holding aset of keys, according to claim 1, wherein said first predeterminedshape of said first leg portion includes at least one of an embossedarea on an exposed surface thereof, at least one depression in saidexposed surface thereof, an enlarged area adjacent a lower end thereofand at least one cut out.
 3. An apparatus for holding a set of keys,according to claim 2, wherein said at least one cut out is selected froma group consisting of at least one of a generally round aperture, adiamond, and a scroll.
 4. An apparatus for holding a set of keys,according to claim 3, wherein said first leg portion further includes apin disposed in said at least one generally round aperture.
 5. Anapparatus for holding a set of keys, according to claim 3, wherein saidfirst leg portion includes a plurality of said generally round aperturesspaced in a predetermined pattern.
 6. An apparatus for holding a set ofkeys, according to claim 5, wherein said first leg portion furtherincludes lacing material disposed through said plurality of saidgenerally round apertures.
 7. An apparatus for holding a set of keys,according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined shape of said first legportion includes a scroll at least one of formed on and in an exposedsurface of said first leg portion and as a cut out depending from saidfirst leg portion.
 8. An apparatus for holding a set of keys, accordingto claim 7, wherein said scroll includes at least one of a jewel stone,a flower, a diamond and a heart attached thereto.
 9. An apparatus forholding a set of keys, according to claim 2, wherein said predeterminedshape of said first leg portion includes a plurality of diamonds one offormed on and in said exposed surface thereof and having at least one ofa jewel stone, a flower and a heart centered therein.
 10. An apparatusfor holding a set of keys, according to claim 2, wherein said apparatusincludes a plurality of cut outs in said first leg portion and aplurality of embossed circles surrounding said plurality of cut outs.11. An apparatus for holding a set of keys, according to claim 1,wherein said apparatus further includes a preselected texture disposedon an exposed surface of said first leg portion.
 12. An apparatus forholding a set of keys, according to claim 11, wherein said preselectedtexture disposed on said exposed surface of said first leg portion isselected from a group consisting of crocodile, ostrich, linen andburlap.
 13. An apparatus for holding a set of keys, according to claim1, wherein said apparatus further includes a preselected fabric coverdisposed over said first leg portion.
 14. An apparatus for holding a setof keys, according to claim 13, wherein said preselected fabric coverdisposed over said first leg portion includes preselected decorationsdisposed thereon.
 15. An apparatus for holding a set of keys, accordingto claim 1, wherein said first predetermined length of said first legportion is longer than said second predetermined length of said secondleg portion and said third predetermined length of said third leg isshorter than said second predetermined length of said second legportion.
 16. An apparatus for holding a set of keys, according to claim1, wherein said apparatus is formed as a single piece unit.
 17. Anapparatus for holding a set of keys, according to claim 1, wherein saidapparatus is manufactured from a material selected from a groupconsisting of plastic and metal.
 18. An apparatus for holding a set ofkeys, according to claim 17, wherein said apparatus is manufactured frommetal.
 19. An apparatus for holding a set of keys, according to claim18, wherein said metal is spring steel.
 20. A method of preventing a setof keys from reaching a bottom of a ladies purse, said method comprisingthe steps of: (a) providing an apparatus having a pair of side by sideslot like portions; (b) attaching a first one of said pair of side byside slot like portions to a side wall portion of said purse; and (c)attaching a set of keys in a second one of said pair of slot likeportions disposed within an interior portion of said purse.